JAGS vs Sydenham high- your thoughts

[Lilbitconfused]

I’m in a confused state and need your perspective on this pls. I’m torn between two offers for my Dd

My DD has gotten an academic scholarship (10%) plus full bursary for Sydenham high school and an offer with 95percent bursary with JAGS

I’m not financially buoyant in any way ( still struggling a bit)and I know most people will say JAGS. My mind is going more with Sydenham as it feels more homely etc and I feel my DD may be oppressed by the rich lifestyle at JAGS

SHS is way closer to us but I know Jags offers school buses that are free because of the bursary level

Is it worth forgoing the scholarship and full bursary from SHS to go to JAGS and pay 95percent?( note even if I have to pay fees at sha because of increased income, it still gets discounted with the 15% scholarship)

My daughter is better academically and not really an extracurricular person ?

Just don’t want to make a mistake

thank you

You might wish to get this moved to Education. This is the HE Board about universities.

Bump

Congratulations to your daughter, what an achievement.

Go for JAGS - she sounds like she will do well in an academic environment and JASG is very hot on mental health and (as I am sure most schools are). It’s former rep of being a hot house has not been relevant for the past two head teachers who have changed the culture.

Don’t let your insecurities hold yourself or your daughter back. I speak from experience
My DD is at JAGS and we haven’t the foggiest who pays full fees, bursaries, who has received academic scholarships etc.

Thanks so much

JAGS is known for having a high % of bursary students compared with other independent schools - I'm sure you can google that data.
My daughter is there and I can confirm she has friends from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds.
I posted my positive thoughts on JAGS yesterday, on a thread comparing it to Newstead - take a look there.
We love the environment - whilst it offers every opportunity and there are indeed wealthy kids there, I've seen no evidence of those from wealthier backgrounds 'lauding it up' or socialising separately - in fact quite the reverse. It's made my daughter very sensitive to the means of her friends and others.
Only you will know what is the right fit for your daughter - personally we have been delighted with how JAGS has developed/is developing our daughter. The culture is far more than just being academically brilliant.

@JAGSmumnewname24 and @hadtonamechangeobviously thank you very much for your perspective. Really appreciate it

To have got those offers your daughter must be a superb academic.
Sydenham is a lovely school. But it doesn't have the same number accademic girls as at JAGS. Your daughter will be top of the class at Sydenham. Whereas at JAGS she'll have peers that match her. So which do you want for her.

Am not up to date with the schools (friends have gone to both but that’s no reflection on now). A bit if a different perspective to above PP, but I’ve never regretted going with my gut. My DC could have gone to a very posh prep but I felt she’d do better at the local primary (which in all honestly, is a bit rough and ready!). She is doing great whereas the other school has had myriad problems. Not saying you can project this onto your situation at all, but our gut instinct is there for a reason…. But as other posters said, I wouldn’t factor in the ££ of other families, just the general school culture and how it will suit your daughter. It’s a great dilemma to have btw! Well done her.

The Dulwich foundation schools, of which JAGS is one, have a very high level of students on bursaries. I really wouldn't worry about her being the odd one out.

Thank you everyone for your perspectives

Jags!

If I were you I would go for sydenham. The generous offer /scholarship plus bursary/ is something I will definitely take into account. Mind you, you will need to contribute 5% every year plus VAT in the near future. The benefit of the scholarship is that even if your income goes up, it will still cover the extra cost to the tune of 10%.
Ultimately both schools are fantastic with excellent results. So why not Sydenham.

Ultimately both schools are fantastic with excellent results. So why not Sydenham

Academically, at least, there is still a big difference. The reason JAGS and Sydenham are talked about in the same breath is due to their proximity to each other. However, Sydenham is not mentioned when discussions also involve CLSG, Putney, LEH by parents from SE-SW London but JAGS is.
(I wouldn’t expect parents from other areas of London to have JAGS on their radar for commuting reasons).

In all other respects, the OP may find Sydenham superior but much of that is down to the interests her DD may have and the feel of the school.

Always check on bullying policy, pastoral care etc, OP. Although it’s difficult to know how good the school are at handling issues until your DD is involved.